The CSIR’s Southern Ocean Carbon–Climate Observatory (SOCCO), in partnership with the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, is seeking to appoint a Post-doctoral Research Fellow for a 2-year (renewable to 3 years subject to performance and funding) fixed-term appointment. The fellowship will contribute to the development of climate-relevant ocean knowledge products for the Southern Ocean, African coastal regions, and global applications building directly on the data products and research advances already achieved by SOCCO.
The successful candidate will be integrating satellite-derived and modelled environmental data to produce global and regional decision-focused indicators of ocean climate risk. They will integrate satellite-derived and modelled observations of ocean biogeochemistry (such as phytoplankton biomass, productivity and functional composition), and air–sea CO₂ flux reconstruction products, with physical driver fields to generate decision-focused indicators of ocean variability, climate-sensitive carbon pathways, and ecological risk. These indicators will capture both fine-scale processes and long-term environmental trends, identify multi-parameter extreme events and regions of climate sensitivity, ultimately supporting applications such as marine protected area planning, climate adaptation strategies, and ecosystem stewardship.
The role will be embedded within an active international collaboration, delivering high-impact, visible dashboard products (such as maps and visualised indicators) that communicate ocean-climate change across scientific and decision-making networks.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop new indicators including ocean oxygen fields, compound-event metrics, and multi-parameter extreme-event classifications.
- Generate spatial products such as trend maps, anomaly analyses, and vulnerability assessments to inform climate-policy decisions.
- Integrate diverse data streams (remote sensing, models, global observing systems) into sustained and publicly accessible products hosted by an online SOCCO dashboard.
- Publish in leading peer-reviewed journals and contribute to collaborative science across SOCCO and its collaborative consortium.
- Support graduate and postgraduate training within the School for Climate Studies and SOCCO.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Essential:
- A PhD in oceanography, marine biogeochemistry, earth system science, or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated expertise in satellite ocean colour and/or biogeochemical data analysis (e.g. phytoplankton functional types, primary productivity, ocean-atmosphere fluxes).
- Strong computational skills, with proficiency in Python and experience processing large environmental datasets.
- A publication record commensurate with career stage.
Desirable:
- Experience in developing or applying climate indicators or decision-support tools.
- Proven track record in designing novel analytical approaches that integrate satellite and in situ data to characterize ocean variability and change.
- Interest in science-to-policy translation and stakeholder-focused communication.
Fellowship Value
R475,000 per annum (tax-free)
Additional support for research activities, conference travel, and international collaboration will be available through project funding.
Location
The Fellowship will be based at the CSIR-SOCCO premises in Rosebank, Cape Town, with regular interaction with School of Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University (main campus).
How to Apply
Applicants should submit:
- A cover letter describing research interests and alignment with the fellowship;
- Full CV including publications;
- Contact details for two referees.
Applications and enquiries should be directed to: Ms Ashleen Fortuin: afortuin@sun.ac.za
Closing date: When filled